Breathes there a soul so dead that these words don’t send a chill through the spine?

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them,…

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,…

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;

The parchment is aged and water stained, the ink faded and behind the thick, bullet proof glass it is difficult to discern. And yet — and yet the power of those words have shaken empires to their very roots and given hope to generations. The future they but dimly perceived, we live today. This is what it means to risk it all – in the hope, fear and prayer that the course you are charting will mean a better tomorrow; to know that there is no out, no “Plan B”…

and a Navy, which if we do not neglect it, guarantees no power on earth can ever take it away.

Happy Independence Day to all.

Enjoy the blessings of liberty this weekend.

KhakiPants

Wherever you are in the world, my fellow Americans, take note of how the world has changed and what freedoms you enjoy even in another’s land because those that came before you as Americans set the example for the entire world to follow.

Happy Independence Day!

Wharf Rat

I’ve sent a request to the USS America Carrier Veterans Association that they advocate for the new America’s LHA 6 ships motto:

‘Free and Independent’ – three words that can still be read on the original Declaration.

UltimaRatioReg

Yes, SteelJaw,

Breathes many a soul to whom these words are archaic and quaint, instead of momentous and inspiring. And we are the worse for it.

This, and the Preamble and Bill of Rights to our Constitution, along with Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Second Inaugural, are nothing short of American scripture. But as we drift further into faithlessness, to many they have become but words on a page.

Maybe today, some of those people will read these words again, and the pilot light will come back on. I hope so. Because God did indeed shed His grace on us.

Byron

URR, move out of that SSR you live in and come down to NASCAR country! Last night’s race in Daytona had a final salute, after the prayer (yes, all our races start with a prayer that says “Christ” and “God” several times) and the Anthem to 8 recipients of the Medal of Honor. You should have heard the roar of the crowd after they were introduced, all of them wearing their Medal.

UltimaRatioReg

Yeah? What are your gun laws like down there?

Byron

Very liberal I think it’s easier than Texas. Ask Phib, he can tell you. And I’ll put it to you this way: Back in the day, you had to shot them in the house to keep out of trouble. Now, per law, the legal standard is “fear of life or harm”. Tough for a citizen with concealed carry to have an indictment by the grand jury get passed. Not to mention, no state income taxes!

UltimaRatioReg

Huh!

Vermont, schitzo as they hare, allow for concealed carry most anywhere without a permit, so that is a big reason I am here.

But next time you read about an October snowstorm, that knock on the door might be me!

Byron

Long as you’re willing to help board the windows up, no problem. You can sleep with the dogs

UltimaRatioReg

Heck, Byron,

Spent most of my marriage in the dog house, I am pretty used to it!

Wharf Rat

‘It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.’ President Abraham Lincoln